In this essay which was written by Wilde in 1891, he argues that under capitalism "the majority of people spoil their lives by an unhealthy and exaggerated altruism—are forced, indeed, so to spoil them" believing this only creates more problems in society and wastes time. He writes that people only want to solve the symptoms of capitalism and not capitalism itself. He believes that no one's life will improve without reconstructing society and that socialism may be the key in ending material poverty. He discusses everything from Jesus Christ's teachings to the brutal criticism of the press and the way they can destroy good people. Overall, his essay reveals how socialism not only helps society but him specifically due to society's disapproval of his sexuality.